Sheema set to hold another parliamentary election

President Museveni joins Elioda Tumwesigye, the NRM party flag bearer in Sheema Municipality MP campaigns ahead of his victory in the July 27 Sheema Municipality MP election (PPU Photo)

SHEEMA – Sheema District is set to hold another parliamentary election in Sheema North constituency after the incumbent, Dr Elioda Tumwesigye, relinquished it in favour of the municipality.

On Friday, Dr Tumwesigye was elected the Sheema Municipality MP after defeating six others, including FDC’s Virginia Plan Mugyenyi. He polled 13,590 votes against Ms Mugyenyi’s 11,489.

And according to Mr Jotham Taremwa, the Electoral commission spokesman, Dr Tumwesigye’s victory renders Sheema North MP seat vacant and that fresh elections will soon be held there.

“The law talks of holding elections within 60 days after the seat has fallen vacant. So, within the 60 days, the process for a new election to replace Dr Tumwesigye will be clear, ” Mr Taremwa said.

Sheema district is to hold a parliamentary election as Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye opted for the municipality. (FILE PHOTO)

Dr Tumwesigye, who is also the minister of science and technology, caused uproar in Sheema when he opted to go for the municipal MP seat yet he was still holding the Sheema North MP.

Candidates with whom he contested the NRM party flag protested, with some describing his move as illegal and selfish. One of them, David Kamukama, later petitioned the party electoral commission over the matter.

However, the national electoral commission later cleared him to stand for the seat. Nevertheless, some of those who lost to him in the party primaries refused to unite behind him and later stood as independents.

However, Dr Tumwesigye explained that he had to stand for the municipal seat to stave off what he described as the onslaught of the opposition.